The FAI today confirmed that Limerick FC had not been successful in attaining a League Licence for the 2007 season. The club had appealed the decision of the Club Licensing First Instance Committee to the Club Licensing Appeal Board which upheld the original decision.
The awarding of a League Licence is based on fulfilling criteria across Sporting, Personnel & Administrative, Legal, Infrastructural and Financial areas of the club. The Club Licensing process, governed by UEFA, now in its 4th year, sets out to ensure certain minimum standards are in place at every club and has, since 2002, helped many clubs bring a more businesslike approach to their operations in the Eircom League of Ireland.
Limerick FC’s failure to receive a licence is the first occasion since the process was introduced that an Irish club has not been awarded any licence.
Commenting on the situation, FAI Chief Executive Officer, John Delaney, said it was disappointing that any club would fail to attain a licence but added that the minimum standards applied to all clubs and that many clubs had used the process to improve their operations considerably as they sought greater success both on and off the pitch.
“The adjudication both at first instance and appeal stages is carried out by two separate committees comprising independent outside experts in the fields of legal, financial, infrastructural and sporting administration” he said.
Delaney added that the FAI wanted to see an Eircom League club in the major population centres in the country including Limerick.
“In the light of today’s decision, we would welcome other applications for a Licence from the Limerick area”, he said. “We want a healthy Limerick based club in the new Eircom League of Ireland and if interested entities seek a licence, we would assess them carefully for their suitability to meet the criteria required to play in the League.”
The Association is committed to developing the game in Limerick and is in detailed talks to take over the lease of Hogan Park. Once this is complete the FAI plan to develop the facility as a base for senior football in the area.
“We are also due to meet with the local authorities in the area to discuss the placement of extra, co-funded, development officers in the region and bring the same benefits to the area which are currently proving so successful through the work of the FAI’s Football in the Community Development Officers in Dublin City, particularly in the disadvantaged areas”, he said
